3 Days in Dallas: Suggested Itineraries

Rising like a shimmering glass-and-steel oasis from the dry Texas plains, Dallas and its Siamese twin, Fort Worth, form one of the largest urban playgrounds in the U.S.A. The home of the Dallas Cowboys football team and center of the nation's oil industry is an economic powerhouse, reflected in its opulent shopping centers, luxurious hotels, and neon-lit nightlife. Between the gleaming skyscrapers and fantastic malls, however, you’ll find fascinating museums, family-friendly attractions, and world-class barbeque joints.

Pull on your hand-tooled cowboy boots and get ready to drive – this city built on oil wealth is the very definition of urban sprawl, with minimal public transportation connecting its shady historic neighborhoods and modern center. If you’re not going to rent a car, plan ahead: Viator offers airport transfers and tours that get you out and about stress-free.

Day 1: Get Glamorous

They say beauty is skin deep, but Dallas’ upscale spas are ready to pamper every part of you. Start your Dallas adventure with a fabulous spa trip to famed North Park, offering a plush collection of brilliant boutiques and department stores, as well as the Nasher Sculpture Center, adding a little culture to your couture. Can’t stop shopping? Try the designer-laden Dallas Art and Style tour, or visit to the modern, luxurious Galleria with even more excellent shops and fine dining options.

Day 2: See the City

Now that you’re looking your Texas best, it’s time to take in some of the city’s most interesting offerings for the heart and soul. Families will enjoy a visit to the top-notch Dallas Zoo, which also operates the Dallas Aquarium, at the fair grounds. Even if you’re not here for the Texas State Fair (in September and October), the pretty Art Deco neighborhood has plenty of other attractions.

Art lovers will enjoy the Dallas Museum of Art, with more than 23,000 pieces in the permanent collection, while history buffs won’t want to miss the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. It is located on the sixth floor of the former Texas School Book Depository (now the Dallas County Administration Building), where Lee Harvey Oswald waited to shoot President John F. Kennedy on that fateful day in November1963. The museum is dedicated to the memory of the assassination.Day 3: Dallas after Dark

There’s plenty more to explore in Dallas, from family attractions including Six Flags over Texas theme park, to world-class sporting events such as Dallas Cowboys football games. Just be sure to keep your evening free. If you’re traveling with the family, top off a day of roller coaster rides with a trip to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, with live jousting, waitresses in period costumes, and all sorts of kid-friendly theatrics. If you’re in the mood for more adult entertainment, head to Billy Bob's Texas, “the world’s largest honky tonk,” a huge nightspot famous for its bull riding competitions, live country music, real barbecued beef brisket, and more.